New York Times Current History; The European War, Vol 2, No. 2, May, 1915 eBook

The resources are provided wholly by
the charity of Americans. From the beginning
of the war the administrative council of their
Paris hospital took the initiative in the movement.
The American colony in France, almost unaided,
gave the half-million francs that was subscribed
the first month. New York and other cities
of the United States followed their lead, and,
in spite of the financial crisis that grips there
as elsewhere, one may be sure that the funds will
not be wanting. America has its Red Cross,
which, justly enough, aids the wounded of all
nations; but, among the belligerents, it has
chosen to distinguish the compatriots of Lafayette
and Rochambeau; our field hospital is the witness
of their faithful gratitude. France will
not forget.

Later the abbe recorded in his diary that the 500
beds would soon be filled, but added that the generous
activity of the Americans would not end there.
They would establish branch hospitals. Large sums
had been placed at the disposal of the committee to
found an “ambulance” in Belgium and another
in France as near the front as prudence permitted.
Toward the end of January he recorded the gift of $200,000
from Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney, and its use by the
committee to establish an affiliated hospital at the
College of Juilly, in the Department of Seine-et-Marne.
He added that still other branches were about to be
founded with American funds.

Abbe Klein writes out of a full and sincere heart,
whether as a priest, a patriot, or a man who loves
his fellowmen; and, without seeking it, he writes
as a master of phrase. His new book probably will
soon be translated and published in the United States.

A TROOPER’S SOLILOQUY

By O.C.A. CHILD

’Tis very peaceful by
our place the now!
Aye, Mary’s
home from school—­the little toad—­
And Jeck is likely bringing
in the cow,
Away from pasture,
down the hillside road.

Now Nancy, I’ll be bound,
is brewing tea!
She’s humming
at her work the way she will,
And, happen so, she maybe
thinks of me
And wishes she’d
another cup to fill.

’Tis very queer to sit
here on this nag
And swing this
bit o’ blade within my hand—­
To keep my eye upon that German
flag
And wonder will
they run or will they stand;

To watch their Uhlans forming
up below,
And feel a queersome
way that’s like to fear;
To hope to God that I won’t
make a show,
And that my throat
is not too dry to cheer;

To close my eyes a breath
and say “God bless
And keep all safe
at home, and aid us win,”
Then straighten as the bugle
sounds “Right, Dress....”
Hurrah! Hurrah!
Hurrah! We’re going in!